These activities are usually performed by an organization specialized in MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and are described as major repairs that can only be performed by properly certified organizations and personnel according to the FAA. Base maintenanceĪlso called heavy maintenance, it involves activities that are generally more in-depth and long-lasting than those above, but are performed less frequently. Many light maintenance activities are performed before the aircraft’s first flight, and they help to confirm its airworthiness. Minor repairs and modifications which do not require extensive disassembly and can be accomplished by simple means.It may also include internal structure, systems, and powerplant items that are visible through quick opening access panels or doors. Scheduled maintenance and/or checks including visual inspections that will detect failures that can be easily spotted but do not require extensive in-depth inspection, or special equipment.Replacing components, up to and including engines and propellers, with the use of external test equipment if required.The most relevant tasks involved in line maintenance according to EASA and the FAA include: Line maintenance is not a rating but an authorization to provide a service to an air carrier certificated under part 121 or part 135, or a foreign air carrier or foreign person operating a U.S.-registered aircraft in a common carriage under part 129 on any aircraft of that air carrier or person.” In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States says it “is unscheduled maintenance resulting from unforeseen events, or scheduled checks that contain servicing and/or inspections that do not require specialized training, equipment, or facilities. Line maintenance is described by EASA Part 145, AMC 145.A.10 as “any maintenance that is carried out before flight to ensure that the aircraft is fit for the intended flight.” Line maintenanceĪlso known as light maintenance, this usually involves completing pre-flight checklists, and any other routine check performed on a daily basis. However, when it comes to aircraft, there is another classification in place. Generally speaking, maintenance tasks are often classified into two categories, corrective and preventive maintenance. What are the types of aircraft maintenance? Keeping the aircraft available for service.

In other words, complying with FAA and EASA safety regulations. “Maintenance is the process of ensuring that a system continually performs its intended function at its designed-in level of reliability and safety.” What is the main intention of aircraft maintenance?Īircraft maintenance is mainly performed to achieve the following three things: “Maintenance is the action necessary to sustain or restore the integrity and performance of the airplane” “Those actions required for restoring or maintaining an item in a serviceable condition including servicing, repair, modification, overhaul, inspection, and determination of condition”. What is aircraft maintenance?Īccording to SKYbrary, a partner of Eurocontrol and the International Civil Aviation Organization, it can be defined in a number of ways and the following may help understand the different aspects: If you want an answer to any or all of these questions, we invite you to keep reading as we give them to you here below.

Now, what does aircraft maintenance involve? What do the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) require to be in the aircraft maintenance business? Is it a good career path? In other words, an adequate maintenance program could make the difference between a safe flight or one where injury or loss can occur. There is no such thing as a safe flight if the aircraft is lacking inspection and maintenance of its structure, systems, and components. Aircraft maintenance is one of the vital components of aviation safety.